iRadio's Groupchat

We’re opening up a conversation about road safety, accountability, and the long-term impact of a single decision.  Gavin Meenan, who was just 18 when he was involved in a fatal road traffic collision - an experience that changed his life forever.   In the years that followed, Gavin struggled deeply, but today he uses his story to help others as a men’s mentor and coach. He joins us...

With students heading back to college after the holidays, many are trying to get back into routine while balancing studies, social life, and tight budgets. Today Valerie is joined by Clodagh Lynch, a student dietitian currently completing her Master’s in Dietetics after a Bachelor’s in Nutrition. Clodagh shares realistic, no-pressure nutrition advice on social media, and she’s here to chat about e...

A lot of listeners are either thinking about moving abroad, have already done it, or are watching others do it online - and one person giving a real insight into life overseas is Sinéad McCann.    She’s a teacher from Ireland now living in Dubai, and she’s built a following on TikTok by sharing what life is actually like there - from work and day-to-day living to the Irish comm...

On iRadio’s Groupchat today, we’re digging into a debate that’s been lighting up social media – of course, it’s housing related. Ray Cooke, who’s CEO of Ray Cooke Auctioneers LTD has said that rising rents and house prices aren’t the only reason 18 to 34 year olds are stuck living with their parents. He argues that longer years in college, low-paying career choices, extended travel and lifestyle d...

Today on iRadios Groupchat, we’re joined by Tahlya Kelly from Tipperary, who has bravely shared her experience of childhood sexual abuse on TikTok. Tahlya, with the support of services like Barnardos, Jigsaw, Pieta, the Rape Crisis Centre, and An Garda Síochána, is now using her voice to let other survivors know they are not alone, and that help is available.   She joins u...

Recently, there’s been one show everyone seems to be talking about. It’s been all over our social media feeds, sparking conversations far beyond television. I’m talking about Heated Rivalry. The show explores the journey of gay athletes in a highly competitive sporting environment, highlighting struggles such as internalised homophobia, identity, and the pressure of being openly gay in p...

Today on iRadios Groupchat Business Spotlight, we’re joined by Kevin Moore, co-founder of Atlantik Body Care a Kerry-based brand redefining how we think about skincare.    Rooted in Ballybunion and Listowel, Atlantik was born from research showing most people choose skincare for price and convenience, not skin health.    Kevin joins Valerie to share the...

There’s been a lot of debate recently around the Government’s proposed nationwide ban on sunbeds in Ireland. Public health officials, including the Minister of State for Public Health and the Chief Medical Officer, say no level of sunbed use is safe and that a ban is necessary to reduce skin cancer rates.    But those working within the industry strongly disagree. The Sunbed Associa...

Today is Blue Monday - a day that’s often labelled as the toughest day of the year for our mental health. Whether you’re feeling it or not, it’s a good reminder to check in with ourselves and with each other.    Today on iRadio’s Groupchat, we’re joined by someone who’s turned an extreme physical challenge into a powerful conversation around mental wellbeing. Basil Mac Leo...

Tonight, we’re diving into a topic that’s everywhere right now - attachment styles You’ve probably seen the terms anxious, avoidant or secure all over social media, especially when it comes to dating and breakups. But beyond the buzzwords, what do they actually mean, and how much do they really shape the way we love, connect and cope with heartbreak?     To help us unpack all o...

Next up in our Trade Secrets segment, we’re shining a light on a career that so many of us think we understand - but very few see behind the scenes of.     Primary school teaching is often described as rewarding, challenging, exhausting and life-shaping, all at the same time. With more people questioning their career paths - from school-leavers to career-changers - we wanted to...

Botox and cosmetic injectables were once seen as something people turned to later in life, but that’s changing fast.   More and more people in their 20s are now booking treatments - often influenced by social media, preventative beauty trends, and discounted deals advertised online.    At the same time, there are growing concerns about safety, particularly when treatments...

A young man from Belfast is challenging the way young people socialise - by taking alcohol out of the equation.     After trying a sober challenge himself, personal trainer and psychology graduate Eamon Swail spotted a gap: plenty of people wanted to meet new friends and connect, without the pressure to drink.     What started as a simple Instagram...

Today on our Business Spotlight, we’re shining a light on an Irish start-up that’s been two years in the making. Rogue & Clover is a brand new ladies clothing business founded by Lauren Brazill from Limerick, focusing on cosy, elevated basics designed for everyday wear.     Lauren has spent the past two years building the brand from the ground up from the first idea ri...

January can be a tough month when it comes to food and nutrition - there’s a lot of pressure to start fresh, try new diets, and do everything perfectly from day one. To help cut through the noise, Valerie is joined by Davey Nutrition, who’s here to chat about simple, realistic nutrition improvements and how to avoid feeling overwhelmed by all the New Year New Me advice … 

An extreme fitness and mindset challenge called 75 Hard is taking over social media right now. One Irish content creator became recognised for it a couple of years ago when he shared every step of the 75-day challenge online, gaining huge attention for his discipline, consistency, and commitment.     But now, with a bit of distance from it, Lucas Donlon has been reflecting on w...

Artificial intelligence tools are becoming more advanced and more accessible - but for some people, they’re being used in deeply harmful ways. Today we’re joined by Erica Corcoran, who was the victim of a deepfake AI image scheme where her photos were manipulated, sexualised, and shared on a sex site without her consent.  Men began interacting with her in a sexual manner, believing they...

In the new year, there does be a lot of conversations about life plans. Schedules. What your goals are for the year. For the next 5 years. But for those people in relationships, planning a life can sound lovely in theory - but in reality, it can bring up a lot of questions. Where you want to live, what you want from your career, whether you want kids, or even just what kind of life you imagine for...

The Mercosur trade agreement – its probably something you’ve been seeing on the news and on social media and thinking what the hell is that. It's been all over the news today because Ireland is voting against it. EU member states will decide whether or not to accept the deal with South American countries at a vote tomorrow. It's been causing serious concern acros...

January is when a lot of us think about getting our finances back on track, but it can be hard to know where to start. So today we’re focusing on two areas that could make a real difference this year - understanding the new auto-enrolment pension scheme, and checking if you’re owed a tax refund.    To break it all down simply, Valerie is joined by Deirdre O’Keefe, founder of Burdy.i...

As the sun sets in Hawkins for the final time, the final episode of Stranger Things on Netflix has left fans reeling. Dropping on New Years Day, we finally learnt the fate of the core six Will, Mike, Lucas and Dustin, Max and Eleven. Joining Valerie to unpack that AND the conspiracy theories around an alternative ending, is iRadio's Matthew Matthews AKA Stranger Things superfan ...

New year, new goals - and for a lot of us, money is top of the list. Saving more, spending smarter, or just feeling more in control financially.    So today, we’re talking about how to set yourself up financially for the year ahead , what to focus on, what to avoid, and where to start if you feel overwhelmed. Paul Merriman, also known as Ask Paul is here with practical advice to hel...

As the new year gets underway, a lot of people are thinking about taking up something new - and for many, that means finally giving Irish another go, or finding ways to bring it back into their lives.  It also feels like Irish has had a big year - from artists like Kneecap bringing the language to a global audience, to Irish taking centre stage in political campaigns and public protests, and...

Careers Coach Angela Burke is here to help us start the new work year on the right foot, from making the most of our annual leave to setting realistic goals and even creating vision boards that actually work.   

Eoin Maginn is an online coach who’s been pushing himself well outside his comfort zone lately - from striking up conversations with strangers to even asking for hugs in public. It’s all part of a bigger message about human connection, gratitude, and appreciating the life we have.